Emergency & Disaster Resources

If you or a loved one have been affected—or may be affected—by a hurricane, we can help. Review our comprehensive information and resources on emergency and disaster planning. We can also connect you to emergency shelters and other critical needs now, or other resources after the initial emergency has passed, such as temporary living assistance, medical equipment, medications, emotional support, or other challenges to your quality of life. Please call 1-800-344-4867 to connect with an MS Navigator, or via e-mail at generalmailbox@nmss.org.

Plaintalk—A Booklet about MS for Families (.pdf)

Also Found In: Caregiver of person with MS, Caregiver Support, Child has MS, Emotional Health, For Children and Families, I have MS, Parent has MS, Relationships and intimacy, Relative has MS, Sibling has MS, Spouse has MS

Someone You Know has MS: A Book for Families (.pdf)

For children, 5-12. A story about Michael and his family explains MS and explores children’s fears and concerns. Adapted by Martha King from original material by Cyrisse Jaffee, Debra Frankel, Barbara LaRoche, and Patricia Dick. (last updated February 2012)

Also Found In: Emotional support, For Children and Families, Parent has MS, Parenting, Sibling has MS

When a Parent Has MS: A Teenagers Guide (.pdf)

For older children and teenagers who have a parent with MS. Discusses real issues brought up by real teenagers. By Diane O’Connell with the Programs staff of the National MS Society. (Last updated July 2014)

Managing School-Related Issues: A Guide for Parents with a Child or Teen Living with MS (.pdf)

Also Found In: Child has MS, Employment and education, For Children and Families, MS Education, Parenting, Pediatric MS

Timmy’s Journey to Understanding MS (DVD)

Timmy’s Journey to Understanding MS is an animated cartoon that shares a little boy's adventure learning about MS. David Lander is the voice of Captain Kip S’myelin, Timmy’s guide on his journey. The cartoon is an excellent resource to talk with children about MS. Developed for children ages 5-12, but appropriate for all ages.

Keep S'myelin: A newsletter about MS for children

Keep S’myelin is a colorful, engaging, informative, and reassuring newsletter to help children and their parents talk and learn about MS together. Each issue is filled with stories, interviews, games, and activities that highlight a specific topic related to MS, as well as a special section just for parents.

Family Matters

MS happens to families, not just to individuals. You probably have many questions about MS – what will happen to my family member with MS, how can we plan, how do we manage the unpredictability of the disease? The National MS Society is here to help you navigate the challenges of living MS with a personalized response to your unique needs.

Veterans with Multiple Sclerosis

The National MS Society is collaborating with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs MS Centers of Excellence to support improved care and support services for veterans with multiple sclerosis and their families.

Everyday Matters

Everyone has their own idea of their best life. For people living with multiple sclerosis, the idea of that “best life” can change due to the challenges of having a chronic, unpredictable and lifelong disease. The National MS Society’s Everyday Matters, supported by Genzyme, a Sanofi company, was an interactive national project that uncovered stories of real people facing the everyday challenges that MS can bring on the path to one’s best life.

Live Fully, Live Well

Managing your health and wellness is an integral part of "living well" with MS. Live Fully, Live Well is a comprehensive wellness program from the National MS Society and Can Do MS, designed for people living with MS and their support partners. Live Fully, Live Well covers topics affecting the whole family living with MS in order to strengthen relationships, increase understanding and promote improved health and quality of life.

Childhood MS: A Guide for Parents (.pdf)

If your child has been diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis (MS), or MS has been suggested as a
possible cause for your child’s symptoms, you
may have lots of questions. This guide is intended to provide answers to
some of these questions.